Austin Rivers’ decision not to fully participate in the NBA predraft combine was a shock to some. Turns out he had nothing left to prove.

An unknown late-lottery team promised Rivers he would be chosen early in the draft, according to Yahoo! Sports. Rivers was expected to be chosen in the 10-20 range in an NBA draft class ripe with shooting guards and elite wing talent.

Austin Rivers is believed to have a promise he will be picked in the late lottery of the NBA draft. (AP Photo)

Other wings considered to be lottery picks are Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes, Florida’s Bradley Beal and Syracuse’s Dion Waiters, who changed his predraft plans after he received a promise similar to Rivers’.

Rivers is expected to work out for several teams before the draft. The clubs include: Portland, Toronto, Houston, Cleveland, Phoenix, New Orleans and Washington.

Former Washington Wizards coach Flip Saunders was impressed with Rivers, calling him “as talented a shooting guard he worked out over the last 15 years.”

"If I was a team in the top 10, he’s a kid I would be zeroing in on because he has the ability to score," Saunders said to Yahoo! Sports. "Maybe I’m partial, but I’ve always said coach’s kids who have had dads who have been in the NBA, a lot of times know what it takes.”

Last season’s ACC Freshman of the Year, Rivers proved himself to be an elite college scorer in one season at Duke. He also hit a buzzer beater to defeat North Carolina that will keep his name attached to the storied Duke-UNC rivalry.

Doc Rivers, Austin’s father and Celtics coach, gave credit to his son’s college program but said Austin was meant to be in the NBA.

"This is what he was born for," Doc Rivers said to Yahoo! Sports. "He didn't grow up wanting to play for Duke, North Carolina or Kansas, even though they’re phenomenal programs. He grew up in an NBA lifestyle, and this is what he wanted to be and he thought he was ready."